The Senior Band returned from the Spring Festival
at Blackpool with a fantastic 3rd place in "The Grand
Sheild".

Just a shade disappointed though because this
meant missing an invitation to the prestigious British Open
by just one place!!

Once again the band had been conducted by
it'd professional musical director Andy Duncan, who had
put the band through it's paces to extract the most from
the test piece - the classic "Contest Music" by
Wilfred Heaton.

Our congratulations go to Rothwell Temperance
and Virtuosi GUS and we wish them success in the British
Open.

Mount Charles Youth Band are delighted to
announce that they have a new look conducting team with
immediate effect.

Jeremy Willcock has been appointed as Musical
Director, with Richard Marshall taking up the role of Musical
Adviser.

Jeremy who hails from Cornwall will be working
with the youth band on a day to day basis, continuing the
musical development that the organization has embedded as
a key part of their structure.

Jeremy studied music at London College of
Music, Royal College of Music and the University of London.
He then worked in London for many years playing and teaching
trumpet/cornet including Junior Guildhall, Guildhall School
of Music and Drama.

Jeremy is currently MD at St.Pinnock Band
and a tutor with Cornwall Youth Brass Band.

Jeremy said 'I am really looking forward to
working with Mount Charles Youth Band and their Music Advisor
Richard Marshall'.

Richard Marshall who has close links with
the Mount Charles organization will take up the Musical
Adviser role, for both the youth and junior bands.

Richard primarily will offer his support and
knowledge to the conductors, assist in selecting new music,
be instrumental in the bands development, as well as him
working with the band at workshops and concerts when his
time allows.

Speaking about his new musical adviser role
Richard commented, "In 2006 I first conducted the Mount
Charles Youth Band to victory at the National Youth Championships
and the British Open Youth Championships and since then
I have always been keen to work with the band. All the players
involved enjoy playing and I hope to develop their playing
skills even more".

Derek Thomas, Chairman said 'I am delighted
that both Jeremy and Richard have agreed to support the
organization. We have a committed and enthusiastic group
of young players aging from 7 through to 21 in our youth
and junior bands, which we see as the life blood of the
organization'.

The Junior Band continues to be trained by
Gary Lannie, who performed their first concerts within 7
months of starting.

The Senior Band made its annual pilgrimage
to the Riviera Centre at Torquay on Saturday 15th March
2009 and was looking to qualify for the National Finals
at the Royal Albert Hall in October for the third year running.

Last year the band had won at Torquay, becoming
West of England Area Champions 2008 and this year had worked
extremely hard on Gilbert Vinters Salute to
Youth with professional conductor Andy Duncan in the
weeks leading up to the contest in order to repeat this
achievement!!

On the day, with a not ideal draw, the adjudicators
Alan Fernie and Nigel Boddice awarded the band a respectable
4th place, giving the top two places to Camborne and Flowers.

So no trip to London this year but the band
is already working hard for its next challenge  The
Grand Shield in Blackpool in May.

Our congratulations go to Camborne and Flowers
and we wish them success in the National Finals. Congratulations
also to our Junior Band tutor, Garry Lannie, who conducted
St. Breward to victory in the Fourth Section qualifying
for the lower section finals at Harrogate in September.

The 2009 contesting season has commenced
for the band following the Yeovil Entertainment Contest
held at the Octogon Theatre, Yeovil on 7 February.

Despite the snowy weather, which had caused the band
to cancel 2 rehearsals the week prior to the contest,
the band made the journey up to Yeovil without incident.
The band had pre-drawn to play no 8 out of the 14 strong
field.

After the rehearsal and final words of wisdom from Andy
Duncan, the band took to the stage performing a programme
consisting of March from the Jazz Suite, It Don't Mean
a Thing (If it Ain't got that Swing), Scarlet Ribbons
featuring the band's flugel player Tim Whitehead, Four
Impressions for Brass and A Witches Sabbath.

Special mention must go to Tim for his solo and to Hannah
Hawken who was helping out on the piano accompaniment.
However, the best reaction was for the Band's Elvis's
(or is it Elvii??) in the form of Mark Bray, Martin Sanders,
Shaun Woodland and last (but not least) Peter 'Jinky'
Jackson. They were all featured in Andy Duncan's new arrangement
featuring 'Are you Lonesome Tonight?' and 'Blue Suede
Shoes'.

The audience reaction to both the playing and dancing/
hip thrusting was very positive but unfortunately it didn't
find favour with adjudicator David Read. Not a case of
'Uh huh, huh' but more like 'Oh no, no!' as far as he
was concerned describing the performance as 'slapstick'.

Despite that, the band received a lot of praise on the
piece, the remainder of the programme and the playing
generally. Many thanks for those comments.

The Adjudicator's remarks will be up shortly. Our congratulations
go out to all the prize winners.

The band is now preparing for the Area Qualifying Contest
at Torquay next month but wishes to extend thanks to Hannah
Hawken from St Austell Band for stepping in to cover the
piano accompaniment at short notice and also to Leonard
Adams who helped out again on cornet and Duncan Alexander
who dusted of his sticks from semi-retirement to help
out in the percussion team.

The band held their annual Awards dinner on
Saturday 31st January at the Britannia Inn, where there
were many awards presented throughout the band.

The evening 4 course meal, was interjected
with presentations from Andy Duncan and Derek Thomas, quizzes
from Peter Jackson and awards ceremony hosted by Ian Thomas.

After a rather longer than anticipated presentation
(due to the heckling) by the Chairman, Derek Thomas, the
floor was open to Andy Duncan who was able to round up the
band's activities for 2008, as well as outlining the objectives
and goals for 2009 and beyond.

Following that, the awards voted for by the
band members were presented.

Players, player went to Charlie Best
Personality of the Year went to Mark Bray
Bandsman of the Year to Andy Rice
The 'Special' award went to Tim Whitehead.

Andy Duncan as the professional MD, also made
two nominations which was section of the year, which was
awarded to the Trombones, and the most improved player that
was presented to Charlie Best.

The evening finished with presentation to
Christina Best and Andy Rice for all their hard work in
supporting the band, behind the scenes.

The band thoroughly enjoyed the evening, and
would like to send on their thanks to the staff at The Britannia
Inn, along with to all those who attended to make the evening
the success that it undoubtedly was.